
Lesson Details
Music Performance
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Having strong parts and rhythms worked out in advance will also help with confidence in live playing situations.
Brian teaches

About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5+ and special needs
- Teaching since:
- July 1988
I have been playing guitar for over 30 years and teaching for 25 years.
I've been featured in Guitar Player magazine (see attached pic). and my live experience includes concerts and tours with various bands (Champagne Francis, Scout), theater (Jersey Boys, Movin' Out, Josh Gad (Book of Mormon) and TV performances (Jay Leno, The Today Show).
I enjoy teaching both children and adults. I recommend children under 10 start on a fender squire mini electric guitar ($99)
For adults,
I am able to bring beginner and intermediate guitarists to an advanced level of playing and understanding songwriting, soloing and playing songs with good technique.
I look forward to hearing from you and helping you along your path of learning music and guitar.
Thanks!
*** Lesson Details ***
Each lessons builds upon the previous. The first half of the lesson is a review of material the student has covered; a "warm up"
The second half of the lesson is for learning a new song or guitar solo as well as chord theory (learning and understanding new songs / songwriting) and scale theory (learning and understanding how melodies and solos fit over chord progressions).
I recommend setting a baseline intention of practicing 15 minutes a day. If you stick to that every day you will improve on the guitar and be playing music very soon!
*** Studio Equipment ***
Fender guitar mini for ages 5-9.
Fender guitar (standard) 9-adult.
Fender Pro Reverb amp.
Chairs, Music Stand, Blank Sheet music, Books
Cables, picks etc.
No need to bring an instrument to the lesson!
*** Specialties ***
Electric and Acoustic guitar
Rock / Pop / Alternative / Blues / Folk / Heavy Metal / Jazz / Fusion / R&B
Learn anything on request!
Experience
Guitar Teacher
Jun 1987 - PresentI've been teaching guitar since 1987!
Education
Jazz composition
Sep 1989 - Jun 1994BFA in Jazz Composition
Sep 1989 - May 1994Languages
English
Certifications
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Jun 1994Affiliations
American Federation of Musicians
Jan 2004A labor union representing professional musicians in the United States and Canada. Founding in 1896 as the successor to the "National League of Musicians," the AFM is the largest organization in the world representing the interests of professional musicians.
+ Read MorePhotos & Videos
19 Reviews
Write a ReviewBrian is a very good guitar teacher.
Brian is both a great guitar player and an awesome instructor! Since starting with him my playing abilities and understanding of music theory have grown dramatically. In addition, he's a really cool guy that's truly interested in your growth as a guitar player. I recommend him without reservation.
+ Read MoreBrian is a great teacher. He's very knowledgable and I'm learning a lot with each lesson.
Brian is professional, considerate and kind, could get you play any songs you pick super fast and complement lessons with necessary basic trainings. Has a variety of gears in his studio so no need for you to bring your own all the way there. Yes the charge is higher than many other tutors but for a smooth & enjoyable learning process it's always worth it. P.S. Brian could write down the music for guitar part accurately just by listening to the songs and immediately teach it to you! Highly recommend.
+ Read MoreBrian is amazing! Very talented Guitar player!!
He is so patient with my 6 year old boy. I highly recommend him to anyone in any level. :)
I've been playing guitar for over 20 years, so when I decided to go back for more lessons I needed a teacher that would help me grow as a player. Brian has helped me connect my existing skills and knowledge to a whole new level of playing and understanding of the guitar. He is enthusiastic and patient, and listens to the inputs of the student but also pushes you to grow and keep improving. He has a great way of explaining concepts, and works with the student to keep them engaged. I highly recommend players of any skill level take lessons with Brian!
+ Read MoreBrian is a great teacher, he is very patient to the beginners. My 11-years-old daughter loved his lessons a lot, she learned only more than 1 month with Brian, she is able to play a simple song.
We highly recommend Brian to anyone in any level!! Not only he is an amazing guitar player, he is so patient with my 6 year old boy. He is Great!!!
If you are looking for a guitar instructor, Brian would be a perfect choice to go to.
He knows his guitar well and is willing to teach you. I am a beginner in guitar and Brian taught me all the basics of guitar. In 4 days of lesson, I can already play a song.
Brian is so kind and helpful. My 11-years-old daughter always enjoys his class, and she progresses very quick with him. Guitar classes are always very fun for her and she can always look forward to the next class. His teaching is very on point and he can always help you understand things very easily. Brian is a great teacher!
+ Read MoreI have only taken a handful of lessons from Brian so far but I feel confident and motivated to continue developing my guitar skills under his guidance. Brian is knowledgeable, patient, and creative. He pays attention to what the student needs and how he/she learns and adjusts his teaching style accordingly. I would highly recommend his lessons to any age group.
+ Read MoreVery knowledgeable and open to student need.
My 10 yr old son has been asking for guitar lessons for a while, I finally looked up teachers on take lessons website through Google search. I decided to go with Brian based on proximity and other reviews. It turns out to be a great decision. He is very patient and good with kids, his suggestion to go with electric guitar to start with really kept my son interested in learning the instrument. His schedule is very full during the weekend, but he is very accommodating to our schedule as well. I would recommend him for parents to at least try out and I am sure you will stay with him once you get to know him.
+ Read MoreBrian is the best teacher
I cannot say enough good things about Brian. My son has taken lessons for a few months now and he loves it. Brian is patient which is great for new students. He understands a child's temperament, limitations, excitement and greatness. He allows the lesson to flow around your unskilled hand. So, if you makes a 'mistake' he turns it into a song and lesson. Its no longer a mistake but a new chord you have just learned. He is very good at teaching adults and children just the same so if you want to learn w someone extremely knowledgable, caring and patient. He is your man.
Brian is a wonderful teacher.
Brian is a wonderful teacher. His profesionalism is amazing as well as his skills. I feel very fortunate to be studying with with him. His kindness and patience really sets him apart. With no previous guitar experience and after just a few lessons with him I was equipped to write the song you see in the video below.
Highly Recommend!
My 10 year old son Charlie recently started taking guitar lessons with Brian. At first we weren't sure if he would be interested in dedicating himself to learning the guitar. Right away we could tell that he developed a confidence and excitement for guitar and music. Even as early as his first lesson he was playing chords to a song! We weren't aware of this but now we have learned that our son Charlie wants to learn "heavy metal". Brian has informed us that he can teach Charlie any style of guitar that he wants to learn. I am happy knowing that our son has a good role model that can help him along his musical path, whichever direction it takes him. I highly recommend Brian as a guitar teache
Perfect guitar teacher for all ages!
If you need a great guitar teacher, Brian Silverman is the man! Brian teaches one-on-one in a clean, private studio in Culver City. His hours are flexible and range in length based on your desire and ability to stay focused. Brian wants to establish a love and connection to music by letting the learner choose the genre. His talent, background and achievements in guitar playing has all the bases covered from style to skill level. My 6yr old son is taking electric guitar lessons and chooses to play rock music and is learning the basics of reading music and rhythm/counting. Don't own a guitar? Brian has one available for use during the lessons until you're certain your child is ready for the commitment of owning his/her own. My son is left-handed and so is Brian, but Brian plays right-handed. Being a natural left-handed person though, Brian is able to shift easily to accommodate my son or any other lefty! Brian relates wonderfully with kids as he is a dad himself, but still has that "cool" factor from being a touring musician. Brian is ultra mellow and calm, but his enthusiasm for music definitely shines through and he really inspires and empowers my son at each lesson! I highly recommend Brian as a skilled, professional teacher as well as a trustworthy and honest individual. Rock on!
Great teacher, friendly environment
I've been taking lessons with Brian for six months. In the time I've been doing lessons he has taught me how to play some of my favorite songs. What I like the most about him is that he won't settle for just showing me songs. He is teaching me how to understand music as well through chord theory and scales.
His knowledge of music is amazing and he teaches me any song I want to learn by ear.
I highly recommend him.
Dig it!
Want a smokin' teacher? Go to Silverman. I went to see Brian when I hit my 40's... I've been playing for years & I've had my share of teachers so I was hesitant going to this younger dude at my age but when I started studying with him my playing exploded! He took all my knowledge & effortlessly pieced it all together. I was dying to blow over changes (being from the school of rock) & he had me tearing it up within weeks! I was now in another league, could easily hold my own in most situations & he inspired confidence in me in my playing & my life! He knows way too much about music, he's an amazing live/studio performer so his knowledge is well beyond teaching you just how to play. I also teach in N.Y. & I was able to take on a whole new league of students & Brian gave me the tools to do this. I also play live & do session work & I have no more fear of not knowing how to handle each musical situation, Brian took care of that! From 2 hand tapping to blowing over changes, metal to jazz we did it all! ... and you're not locked into some boring curriculum like some teachers. Besides finding a competent talented encouraging teacher, I made a dear friend in life! I have one problem though... I'm in N.Y.C. & he moved to California!!